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RECOLLECTIONS AND ANTICIPATIONS, 



HALF-CENTURY 



DEDICATORY DISCOURSE, 



DELIVERED IN 



OCTOBER 26, 1846. 



BY JOHN FISKE 



PASTOR OF THE CHURCH. 






GREENFIELD : 

MERRIAM AND MIRICK, PRINTERS. 

1846. 



In Kxoh. 

New Braintree, Oct. 28, 1846. 
Rev. Dr. FISKE, 

Sir : — The Congregational Parish in New Braintree, through their 

Committee, present you their thanks for the interesting Semi-Centennial 

Discourse, delivered by you, at the dedication of their Meeting-house, 

and request of you the additional gratification of a copy for the press. 

With much respect, 

Your obedient servants, 

SAMUEL MIXTER, \ 
WELCOME NEWELL, \ ^ " "^ '^ 
AMORY FELTON, ) 



Gen 



TLEMEN 



In compliance with your request, I will furnish you with a copy of my 
Sermon, as soon as may be convenient. 

Yours with great respect, 

JOHN FISKE. 
To Hon. Samuel Mixter, &c. 



SERMON. 



1 Thessalonians, ii : 19. — For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of 
rejoicing ! Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ 
at his coming 1 

It is very generally, not to say universally, agreed, 
that either of the two occasions which have called 
together this numerous assembly demands from a 
Christian people some public expression of gratitude 
to God. We derive evidence from the highest au- 
thority, that when a new place is opened for public 
worship, it is the duty of those for whose benefit it 
was prepared, to consecrate it, by prayer and other 
religious exercises, to the sacred use for which it was 
designed. The example of Solomon on the comple- 
tion of the temple commends itself to every man's 
reason, and the remarkable display of God's approba- 
tion on the occasion affords full evidence that it was 
in accordance with his will. 

Although we have neither precept nor example 
touching the manner in which any period that a min- 
ister may have continued with his people should be 
noticed, yet the completion of half a century is so 
unusual an event, and so fraught with results affecting 



4 

their temporal and spiritual welfare, as to be justly 
deemed worthy of special acknowledgment to the God 
of providence. If such protracted connection has 
been as happy and beneficial as it is uncommon, there 
is certainly abundant cause for gratitude by both 
pastor and people. When these two occasions happen 
at the same time, which perhaps may never have been 
the case before this day, the obligations for fervent 
thanksgivings are doubly increased. 

There is also another circumstance interesting to 
the speaker, although it may not be particularly so to 
others. This is the anniversary not only of my in- 
stallation* over this church and society, but also of 
my birth. As I enter on the fifty-first year of my 
ministry, in this place, I commence the seventy-sev- 
enth of my life — a solemn memento that the time 
when I must give account of my stewardship must be 
near at hand. In view of these two admonitory cir- 
cumstances, I would speak on this occasion, as I 
ought, did I know it to be my valedictory discourse to 
the people of my charge. 

I have stated that the results of a connection be- 
tween a minister and people, for so long a period, 
must be highly important. Whether those results are 
good or evil, for weal or for wo, the remark will apply 
in either case with equal truth. 

Let us suppose that when one is constituted a pas- 
tor, the fact should be made known to those who are 
to five under his ministry, that he will continue with 
them, as their spiritual guide and teacher for fifty 

* See Appendix (A). 



years, they, at the same time being ignorant of the 
character of his ministry, further than they may have 
formed a judgment of it, from a few weeks' acquaint- 
ance, during his probation among them. Wliat deep 
and painful soHcitude must agitate their minds, in view 
of such a fact. How would hope and fear alternate 
in their bosoms, as they should contemplate the con- 
sequences of the protracted connection in anticipa- 
tion, involving to a great extent the present and 
future happiness, not only of themselves, but of their 
children and children's children. For he who con- 
tinues fifty years in the ministry in the same place will 
have an important agency in the moral and religious 
training of three generations, and before that period 
shall be half exhausted, the saying of the prophet, 
" Like people, like priest," will be verified. Let his 
religious sentiments and views be what they may, such 
also will theirs be, so far as they are satisfied with him 
as their teacher. His standard of piety and morals 
will be theirs also. The great body of the people will 
be won over to the truth, or seduced by the errors, 
which will have been inculcated for more than half 
the period of human life. How unspeakably impor- 
tant then is a fifty years' ministry, by one man, among 
the same people. The anticipation or the review of 
such a ministry may well cause one to tremble. 

Through the forbearance of God, and of this church 
and society, I am one of the few, who have been 
permitted to live and to sustain the pastoral office in 
the same place for a full half century. I am hence- 
forward to speak of it, as matter of history and not 
as future. 

1* 



' It would be deemed an unpardonable omission, if 
on the present occasion, I should not bring into view 
some of the more important events which have trans- 
pired among us, since our connection, and notice the 
changes which affect our condition, especially in 
respect to religion. Such omission would not only 
disappoint the expectations of most that are present, 
but entirely defeat one of the ends proposed by this 



meetmg. 



I would also lead forward your minds to the time 
when the connection which has so long and so hap- 
pily existed will be dissolved, your pastor being gath- 
ered to his fathers, or released from his labors by 
reason of age or infirmity. 

But I would premise, " that we are little among the 
thousands of Judah." The population of the town 
being but about seven hundred and fifty, it must be 
borne in mind that other things will be graduated on a 
corresponding scale. 

Previous to the brief review of past events which I 
propose to take, I shall make several remarks on the 
state of this church fifty years ago, some of which 
will strangely contrast with its present condition. 
These remarks will also apply to many other churches 
in the vicinity, and throughout the state. 

In the first place, I remark, that at the time to 
which allusion has been made, the practice of baptiz- 
ing the children of those who desired it, although they 
did not come to the table of the Lord, was allowed in 
this church, as in many others — probably a major part 
in this vicinity. I mention this not merely as a histori- 
cal fact, but as tending to show the kind overrulings 



of Providence toward us, in the peaceful removal of 
a practice to which many were strongly attached, but 
which is now considered as founded in error, and as 
tendino- to evil, both to the churches and individuals 
concerned. I continued the practice in respect to 
such as had been permitted to offer them in time past, 
for a number of years. But in regard to others who 
might desire the same thing, they were to be con- 
sidered by the church as in such connection with it, 
that they might at any time come to the table of the 
Lord, and were to be under its watch, and subject to 
its discipline, like members in full communion. The 
adoption of this regulation nearly broke up the prac- 
tice. In eighteen hundred and ten it was entirely 
abolished by the unanimous vote of the church. 

Another remark is, that fifty years ago, it was an 
unusual thing that any duty of a devotional character 
was performed, even by professors of rehgion, except 
in their own families, especially in presence of their 
pastor. It was not until I had been in this place 
more than eleven years, that I was permitted to hear 
a sentence of prayer offered by one of my people. 
The occasion of that new and dehghtful sound was 
this. I had been requested to attend the funeral of a 
colored man, but by reason of a powerful rain I was 
detained so far beyond the appointed hour, that it was 
thought I should fail of coming. Being unwiUing to 
bury their dead without prayer, the friends and neigh- 
bors requested a professor of religion who was present, 
to perform that duty. He complied with the request. 
As I arrived before the close of the prayer, I enjoyed 
the privilege of listening to the latter part of it. If I 



8 

ever felt any gratitude to God, it was never more in 
exercise than on that occasion.* 

But it was not that there were no Christians at that 
day, or that they Hved without prayer, that I present 
you with such a sad picture of the times. But the 
reason was, in part at least, that it was generally con- 
sidered as the special duty and privilege of the pastor 
to do all the praying, when he was present. This 
was designed as a mark of respect to the Christian 
ministry. During all that time, and so far as I ever 
learned, under the ministry of my predecessor, there 
was not a social prayer meeting in this place. It was 
much after this fashion in most other churches. 

The aged and infirm who were unable to go to the 
house of God, used frequently to request their minis- 
ter to preach a lecture at their houses. But there 
was only one voice heard in the assembly, directed to 
God or the people. 

Neither ministers nor churches would now think 
that they could afford to hve in this way. 

Another remark is, that churches at the time here 
spoken of consisted almost entirely of persons in 
married hfe, and most of them far advanced in years. 
At the time of my settlement there was but one 
member of the church in single life, — a female 
about fifty-five years of age. There was not a young 
person to be seen at the table of the Lord, when his 
people sat down to commemorate the love he mani- 
fested in giving his life a ransom for all. It seemed 
to be the general understanding, if we may judge 

* See Appendix (B). 



from the prevalent practice, that when the better sort 
of persons had settled down in a family state, and 
children were born to them, they ought to connect 
themselves with the church. The dedication of chil- 
dren to God in the ordinance of baptism was, at 
that day, viewed as a more important duty, than by 
many at this time. The neglect of it was considered 
as an implied renunciation of the gospel, and as an 
approximation toward heathenism ; and 1 doubt not 
but a sense of that parental obligation led many to a 
serious consideration concerning their own souls, 
which was to them a means of salvation. Such as 
were not satisfied with placing themselves under the 
" half-way covenant" as it was called, were in many 
instances urged on to the performance of their whole 
duty, by their own consciences and the Spirit of God, 
to confess Christ before men in a consistent way. 
But as for the young, it was not expected by minister 
or people, that they would consent to so unnatural an 
act, as to unite with a church consisting only of 
married and to a great extent aged persons. 

There was much to iDroduce this apprehension in 
the minds of youth, particularly the manner in which 
that ordinance by which Christians do show the Lord's 
death was celebrated. The church instead of being 
as a city set on a hill, in that transaction was rather in 
conclave. At the close of the morning's exercises 
the congregation was blessed and dismissed by the 
pastor, which seemed to imply that in the remaining 
duties about to be performed in the church, the major 
part of the assembly had no concern. The conse- 
quence was, that most of those who lived near the 



10 

house of worship, went to their homes, while others, 
especially the youth, sought for entertainment where 
it best pleased them. This most solemn and interest- 
ing gospel ordinance was either administered in haste, 
because the time was short, or the intermission was 
lenorthened, so as to render it tedious to those without. 
There can be no doubt but the day on which the 
Lord's supper was to be administered was looked upon 
witli a kind of dread by not a few, on account of these 
most inappropriate circumstances. 

Such was the practice here, for I know not how 
many years. One thing I do know, that it was as 
long as my conscience would allow me to proceed in 
this manner. 

Since we have made the administration of this ordi- 
nance the exercise for the afternoon, our meetings have 
been more fully attended, and a deeper interest has 
been manifested, than on almost any other occasion. 

Such was the condition of this church and people 
when in the providence of God, I took the oversight 
of them as their pastor. I look back to that time 
with feelings which cannot be described, as I consider 
my inexperience, and want of preparation for the 
great work in which I was engaging. Though 
ignorant of what was before me, the Lord was pleased 
to lead me in a way that I knew not. 

It was my understanding then, as now, that my 
principal business as a minister of Christ would con- 
sist in a faithful dispensation of all that is contained 
in his gospel, or the word of God. Although my 
views in respect to several points of doctrine varied 
from what they are at the present time, and as I now 



11 

believe were very defective in comparison with what 
they became after the lapse of a few years, yet so far 
as 1 know my own heart, it was my purpose from the 
beginning to preach all that the bible teaches, keeping- 
back nothing that God has commanded his ministers 
to publish as truth. I have endeavored to make 
known all his counsel to others, so far as he has been 
pleased to make me acquainted with it. 

The doctrines which I have considered as funda- 
mental to the great plan of salvation revealed in the 
gospel, and on which I have more frequently dis- 
coursed are, the character of God as infinitely wise, 
good, sovereign and unchangeable ; subsisting in three 
persons, equal in power and glory ; tlie complete ruin 
of man in consequence of the apostasy ; the entire 
depravity of his nature ; his recovery by the sacrifice 
of Christ, who was made sin for us ; his dependence 
on the Holy Spirit for the renewal of his heart unto 
holiness, according to the election of grace ; justifica- 
tion by faith alone ; and the necessity of good works 
as the fruit and only sufficient evidence of the reality 
of that moral change which prepares a sinner for sal- 
vation. I have had a growing conviction of the im- 
portance of these doctrines, because they appear to 
me to stand out with great prominence on the pages 
of God's word, and because universal experience 
shows that they are the principal means of salvation 
to sinners. 

In connection with the public dispensation of the 
word and ordinances on tiie l^ord's day, like most of 
my brethren, I have made use of other means to pro- 
mote the spiritual welfare of my people, such as lee- 



12 

tures during the week, in every part of the town, con- 
ferences, pastoral visits, addresses to parents and 
to children in separate meetings, social prayer meet- 
ings, bible classes, personal conversation, to which 
I must add, " and such like." For all is not included 
in what has been named. 

While I most sensibly feel that in all things I have 
come short — far short of my duty, and in some points 
have been faulty, it would be ungrateful in me to say, 
that my imperfect labors have been productive of no 
spiritual good to my people. This v/ould be to over- 
look, rather than to magnify the grace of God. 

It was just two years after my settlement before one 
made a profession of religion. The time was long 
and dreary. But for each succeeding twenty-one 
years, with one exception, there w^ere some additions 
to the church by profession. The second person who 
offered herself as a professed follower of Christ, was 
under eighteen years of age. As there is reason to 
believe from her subsequent life, she was moved to this 
duty by the Spirit of God. 

This was viewed as a strange thing among us. As 
might be supposed, it occasioned a new train of think- 
ing in many hearts, and resulted in good. . In several 
succeeding years four and five united with the church, 
some of whom were young persons, male and female. 

In the year 1809, the Spirit of the Lord began to 
move upon the minds of many in this place, in an un- 
usual manner, and continued its gracious work from 
two to three years. In the first year nine made pro- 
fession of their faith in Christ, five of whom were 
youth, four at one time. The next year sixteen were 



13 

added to the church by profession, and twenty in the 
year following — in the aggregate forty-five. 

In 1818-19, we enjoyed the most extensive revival 
of religion, with which this people was ever blessed. 
The number that was gathered into the fold of Christ, 
as the fruits of that revival, was over ninety, consisting 
of persons of all ages and conditions, and from every 
part of the town. The next season of special refresh- 
ing from the presence of the Lord was in 1826, when 
the church had an accession of thirty. In 1831, twen- 
ty-five became professors, and forty-three in our last 
season of revival, which was four years ago. Besides 
these, there have been several other times of unusual 
attention to religion, when smaller numbers were 
brought to own the Lord that bought them. 

As soon as these manifestations of the Divine Spirit 
were enjoyed among us, the character of the church 
was greatly changed, in various respects. A large 
portion of those who were admitted to its fellowship 
were youth. Social prayer meetings became fre- 
quent, in which the voices of young men, as well as 
the more aged were heard, in thanksgiving and sup- 
plication to that God whose grace they hoped had 
brought them out of the dark pit of sin and misery, 
into the glorious liberty of the gospel. Our choir of 
singers invariably felt a favorable influence from all 
the revivals we ever enjoyed, and this influence was 
reflected back upon the whole assembly. In several 
instances, nearly the whole number was brought into 
the kingdom of Christ, when there did not seem 
before to be scarcely any who had the fear of the 
Lord in their hearts. 
2 



14 

The whole number that I have received into this 
church is three hundred and fifty-nine ; three hundred 
and five by profession, and fifty-four by letter. 

Although this number may appear small, and al- 
though some of these who seemed for a season to run 
well were afterward hindered, yet my heart is greatly 
cheered, " and my soul doth magnify the Lord," as I 
review the record of God's gracious dealings with us. 
While I can see many things which were not as they 
should have been, yet I cannot but indulge the hope, 
that most of those names were written in the book of 
life, and that they have already joined the redeemed 
saints in glory, or remain as lights in the world. Num- 
bers have died in the triumphs of faith, whose final 
victory it has been my privilege to witness, and nearly 
all who have been called to leave the world, have 
enjoyed a hope that sustained and comforted them as 
they saw the approach of the king of terrors. I 
rejoice to see the names of five of my own children 
placed on the list of members in this church at diflfer- 
ent periods, who, as I hope, remain steadfast in their 
profession. One is not, God having taken her to 
himself. 

To every faithful pastor, the church that has grown 
up under his fostering care, is inexpressibly dear to 
him. " For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of 
rejoicing ? are not even ye in the presence of our 
Lord Jesus Christ at his coming ?" And I beheve it 
proper to say, even now it is so. The church in 
which a minister has labored long, and which he has 
been principally instrumental in forming, is a com- 
mentary on his own character. It is an epistle known 



15 

and read of all men. This epistle will be opened in 
the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming. 

There is a constant drain from this church by 
emigration. While only fifty-four have come to us 
from other churches, a hundred and twenty-nine have 
gone out from us, making a balance against us of 
seventy-five. On the return made in June last, the 
number of members stood at only one hundred and 
forty-five — forty-one males and one hundred and four 
females, having been much reduced since our last 
revival, which was only four years ago. 

What more touching ministerial act can be named 
than that of placing the seal of God's covenant on 
such as make a profession of their faith in Christ, 
or on their infant seed ? On five hundred and sixty- 
three have I been permitted to place this seal — eighty- 
four of whom were adults and four hundred and sev- 
enty-nine in a state of minority. 

On how many occasions of joy and sorrow, have I 
been called into your famihes, to mingle my sympa- 
thies with you, in seasons of intense interest, and to 
perform appropriate religious service. The celebra- 
tion of a marriage, as a general thing, is one of those 
occasions which tend to strengthen the cords of affec- 
tion between a minister and his people. There is 
scarcely a house in the town where I have not been 
called on that pleasing occasion, and into most of 
them not only once, but again and again. I have 
joined in marriage three hundred and six couples. 

But it is on occasions of domestic affliction that 
the hearts of minister and people melt and mingle, 
and become cemented as one. When he is called to 



16 

bow the knee beside the bed of sickness, or death, in 
the midst of sorrowing friends, where he pleads with 
God to spare the life of a dear companion, parent, or 
child, or to receive the departing spirit to the bosom 
of infinite love, or when he comes to administer 
consolation after death has done its dreadful work, 
the labors of a gospel minister are most appreciated. 
Never, till eternity shall declare it, can it be known 
how many times I have been summoned into your 
families on such occasions. There have been five 
hundred and ninety-seven deaths in the place ; the 
funerals, with very few exceptions, I have attended. 
Usually several, in some cases many visits were made 
previous to death. 

And what desolations have been produced in our 
connnunity by the last enemy ! There is not a single 
member of the church over which I was settled 
among the living. They are all in their graves. It 
is seventeen years since I followed the last male mem- 
ber to the house appointed for all the living, and it is 
more than two years since the last female deceased. 

There is but a single husband and wife now hving, 
whom I found connected in marriage when I was 
constituted the pastor of this people. There are 
members in that choir of singers, and certainly one in 
the church, deriving their origin from diflfercnt ances- 
tors, whose great grandfathers took an active part in 
my settlement. One of them ofiiciated nine years as 
a deacon under my ministry, and died four years after 
resigning his oflice, a younger man than I am, at the 
present time. 

These facts may serve to suggest to our minds other 



17 

corresponding changes which might be named.* 
But churches and societies do not become extinct, 
though tlie individuals of whom they were composed 
may be joined to the dead. It is known to all, that 
within the period of the last fifty years, the calls upon 
ministers, by reason of peculiar trials that have pre- 
vailed in the churches, especially in this state, have 
been very numerous. I may add also, that a strange 
instability and fickleness in the people, have been the 
occasion of large demands on their time, in other 
churches and parishes than their own. I have often 
thought that our congregations must be wearied by 
hearing " Letters Missive" read with such frequency 
as has been the case. I have been called to attend 
one hundred and twenty-one councils, and have been 
present at about one hundred and fourteen or fifteen. 
Sixty of those councils were for the purpose of install- 
ing pastors, and about thirty for dismissing them. 
The residue were for the formation of churches, or 
the settlement of existing difficulties. 

The charge of district schools has occupied much 
time, and called for no small degree of labor. In the 
former part of my ministry these duties were pre- 
scribed by the state, and latterly by the appointment 
of the town as one of their committee. I have con- 
sidered this as matter of great importance, and toil- 
some as it has been, have endeavored to discharge the 
duties involved, with fidelity. It has been my object 
to raise the standard of education from year to year, 
by requiring as high quahfications in teachers, as it 



* See Appendix (C). 

2* 



18 ), 

would do to insist on, by visiting the schools, without 
distinction, as nearly in conformity to the requisitions 
of law as circumstances would permit, and by doing 
all the good to them that was in my power. In these 
attempts I have been nobly sustained by other mem- 
bers of the committee, since committees have been 
appointed. The town has been accustomed to make 
liberal grants of money for the support of schools. 
By the last " Abstract of the Massachusetts School 
Returns," it appears that New Braintree raises ^4.82 
to the scholar, which, after taking out Boston and six 
neighboring towns, where the expense of education is 
much greater than in the interior, exceeds any other 
town in the state. The sum raised for schooling, the 
last year, was no higher tlj^n it has been for a number 
of years past^ 

There have been fifteen publicly educated men 
from this town, three before my residence here and 
twelve since. Besides these, two died in college, and 
two are now in college. Eight have entered the min- 
istry in the Congregational order, and one in the Bap- 
tist denomination, a popular preacher and highly es- 
teemed. I refer to Dr. Davis, who closed his ministry 
at Hartford, Connecticut, a number of years ago, 
much lamented. We have also furnished to the 
country six lawyers, five of whom are now living.* 

The fifty years in which it has been my privilege to 
labor in the ministry, has been a most eventful period 
to the church and the world. In the former part, 
political revolutions were almost every where taking 

* See Appendix (D). 



19 

place. Infidelity spread with astonishing rapidity ; 
and a very extensive combination was formed to 
estabhsh principles which would subvert not only all 
Christian institutions, but the foundations of civil 
society. The darkness of the middle ages seemed to 
be returning upon the civihzed world, and next to 
nothing was doing to cause the light of the gospel to 
shine among the benighted. Religion was generally 
in a very low state, partaking much of formalism, and 
the prospect was continually gathering darkness. 

But when the enemy came in like a flood, the 
Spirit of the Lord set up a standard, around which 
the friends of order, virtue and religipn were ready to 
gather. After a (juarter of a century of violent com- 
motion among the nations, universal peace ensued, 
which has been of longer duration than any other 
that has existed since the commencement of the 
Christian era. God was pleased before the close of 
those troublous times to pour out his Spirit upon min- 
isters, churches, and people very extensively, and 
greatly to revive his work, especially in this land. He 
has done great things for Zion and for the world, by 
disposing his people to engage in so many Christian 
and philanthropic enterprises, upon which he has so 
manifestly set the seal of his approbation. While 
these enterprises have greatly increased the labors and 
responsibilities of Christian ministers, there is much 
occasion to praise God for them. It is among the 
chief reasons why I would wish to live yet longer, 
that I may see this glorious work of mercy spread, 
until all shall know the Lord, and that I might work 
together with him and his faithful servants in helping 



20 

it forward. But I would be thankful for what of his 
grace I have been allowed to see, and in respect to 
the future I would say, " The will of the Lord be 
done." In this paragraph I have wandered from the 
path I had proposed for myself, and will now return. 

It is worthy of our special and most grateful 
acknowledgment, my brethren and friends, that while 
so many disastrous changes have taken place around 
us, it has pleased God to preserve this church and 
society, and their pastor in a state of so much har- 
mony, for so long a time. " Even so, Father, for so 
it seemed good in thy sight." True, my conscience 
testifies that it has always been my study to promote 
peace and brotherly love, and to allay existing diffi- 
culties. But I take less of the honor to myself, than 
I concede to the people. There has ever been with 
them a settled aversion to a rupture with their minis- 
ter, believing it to be among the greatest evils in 
society. They have chosen rather to bear with many 
imperfections, and to make little of that of which they 
might have made much. Where all parties sincerely 
aim at peace, there can be no contention. 

As one evidence of our peaceful state it may be 
stated, that until within three years there was no 
parish, or religious society in this place. The bu- 
siness pertaining to parochial concerns was trans- 
acted in open town meeting, and carried into effect 
by officers of the town, as from the commencement 
of my ministry. There is reason to believe that the 
last remnant of union between church and state, in 
Massachusetts, and if so in the nation, was finally and 
forever sundered, when this parish was organized. 



21 

Another circumstance showing the character of this 
people, as a rehgious community, is worthy of notice 
in these days. I refer to the number of persons in 
town whose estates, by the voluntary consent of the 
owners, help sustain the gospel by taxation. As an 
example, the first year after the parish was formed — 
three years ago, about six-sevenths of the property in 
town was assessed to support Congregational preach- 
ing. This includes, however, several estates that pay 
in neighboring parishes, it being more convenient for 
the owners to attend there than here. My salary was 
assessed on a valuation of $448,000, owned princi- 
pally by between eighty and ninety farmers. Of the 
one-seventh who did not pay a parish tax, there was 
one Baptist and a few Methodists who helped to sus- 
tain their own institutions in their own way. Of the 
residue I can give no account. 

This church has not been exempt from ordinary 
trials. We have been under the painful necessity of 
excluding from our communion numbers, who either 
renounced the faith they professed when they united 
with us, or ceased to maintain a Christian character. 
But no serious divisions were ever occasioned in the 
church by these proceedings. We were never asked 
to have those proceedings reviewed by a higher 
tribunal. Three ecclesiastical councils have been 
convened in this place, but they were for the purpose 
of ordaining pastors over the church. It is believed 
there has been no suspension of the Lord's supper, 
nor of preaching for a single Sabbath, on account of 
any existing difficulty among the members, since the 
formation of the church, which was in 1754. To 



22 

those acquainted with the difficulties and trials which 
many, perhaps 1 ought to say most, meet with in their 
ministry, it cannot appear strange that I should add, 
that I am deeply penetrated with a sense of the very 
gracious manner in which God has been pleased to 
deal with me, from the beginning to the present time. 
Not only have my trials been small, but I have en- 
joyed great happiness with my people. There has 
never, to my knowledge, been any combined opposi- 
tion to myself, or to such measures as I have deemed 
proper to pursue for the advancement of religion. 
But rather, there has been a disposition to aid in car- 
rying such measures into effect. I am always received 
in the families, into which I enter, with apparent and 
I trust real cordiality. My people have shown me 
more respect than was my due. 

In relation to my domestic concerns, God has been 
very merciful to me and mine. He has spared the 
wife of my youth, until we have both arrived to a 
good old age, though as you well know, for the last 
four years, her strength has been small and her suffer- 
ings great. Nothing could have been more gratifying 
to her feelings, than to have been present on this oc- 
casion. Though not here in body, yet in spirit she is 
with us. Of eight children, six yet survive, who I re- 
joice to say, are all present, as also their companions, 
and a goodly number of their children. The two 
that have deceased had arrived to adult age. One 
was in single life, the other the head of a family, 
whose surviving companion is present. 

I have also been greatly favored in respect to my 
bodily health. Although I possess a constitution nat- 



23 

urally feeble, yet I have generally enjoyed strength 
sufficient to enable me to perform the various duties 
and labors, which in the providence of God, have 
fallen to my lot. For the last thirty-four years espe- 
cially, having been previously raised from dangerous 
sickness, I have very rarely failed of being at the post 
of duty, through bodily infirmity. I must make an 
exception of five Sabbaths in an early part of the past 
summer, when I was unable to perform ministerial 
duty among my people. 

I desire to be thankful, that I have not long since 
been laid aside as a worn out garment. While I 
speak of these things, especially the kindness of those 
whom I serve in the Lord, it is a subject of painful 
consciousness that I have not been more faithful to 
them, and done more to promote their eternal interests. 



{Here a brief respite was taken, while the following stanzas were 
read by the pastor, and sung by the choir, in the tune, " Siddim.") 

" God of my childhood, and my youth, 
The guide of all my days, 
I have declared thy heavenly truth, 
And told thy wondrous ways. 

Wilt thou forsake my hoary hairs, 

And leave my fainting heart ■? 
Who shall sustain my sinking years, 

If God my strength depart ? 

Let me thy power and truth proclaim 

To the surviving age ; 
And leave the savor of thy name, 

When I shall quit the stage. 

The land of silence and of death 

Attends my next remove ; 
O may these poor remains of breath 

Teach the wide world thy love." 



24 

Having taken a review of scenes that have passed 
away, many of which must be interesting to those 
whom I more particularly address, let us now turn 
and look to the future. 

Although we can see nothing before us with dis- 
tinctness, time and circumstance being wholly con- 
cealed from our vision, yet we know that important 
changes await us. As I am now the oldest minister 
in the state, of the Congregational denomination, who 
has the entire charge of a church and parish, reason 
teaches that I can be with you but a short time. Soon 
shall I be called to give account of the manner in 
which I shall have fulfilled the ministry which I 
received of the Lord. The Lord show mercy in that 
day! 

Whenever a people are left destitute of a minister, 
it is attended with more or less hazard. It is equally 
certain also that a number in this church, and in this 
society, of nearly my own standing in age, who have 
been firm supporters of the gospel, and ready to every 
good work which had relation to our common welfare, 
who have stood " shoulder to shoulder," in times of 
difficulty or danger, — men of prudence, wealth and 
influence, must soon have their names enrolled with 
my own, among the dead. We must lay aside our 
armor nearly at the same time. These changes will 
be felt. I will not say with the apostle, when speak- 
ing with reference to a particular people, " I know 
that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in 
among you, not sparing the flock." I will not allow 
myself to believe it. 

Though great reverses do sometimes occur, yet I 



25 

trust that the God of peace, who has so long con- 
tinued his favor, will dwell among you and bless you, 
when the changes spoken of shall have taken place. 
He has promised to Zion, " Instead of thy fathers 
shall be thy children." May this precious promise be 
eminently verified with you. May the sons of these 
fathers fill the breach that will soon be made by death. 
May they be in their stead, not only by coming into 
possession of the houses, lands and treasures which 
will be left to them, but by adopting and carrying out 
the views and principles which they early imbibed, 
and to which they adhered with great steadfastness 
and consistency. 

In view of these considerations, the preparation of 
this house of worship is a most seasonable enterprize, 
and its completion affords just occasion for mutual 
congratulation and of united praise to Him who caused 
the people to prepare their hearts to the work. It 
was much needed for our immediate comfort ; and it 
provides for an exigency which must occur at no dis- 
tant day. I trust it will be a bond of union to this 
parish, and serve to preserve it from those unhappy 
divisions which we have witnessed in most of the re- 
ligious societies around us, and which have been pro- 
ductive of unnumbered social, as well as moral evils, 
in every community where they have prevailed. 

And now the hour has arrived which you have ap- 
pointed for the dedication of this house to the service 
of God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, as a place 
for the worship of his great name. I hope, my friends, 
you will prepare your hearts for this solemn transac- 
tion, in the dedicatory prayer that will be offered at 
3 



26 

the close of this discourse. Let us remember that the 
God with whom we have to do requireth truth in the 
inward parts. Although this duty specially concerns 
the people who expect to worship here, we wish and 
believe we shall have the sympathy and the prayers of 
all our Christian friends, in this interesting transaction. 

It affords me great satisfaction, that I am allowed 
to see you assembled in this very commodious and 
pleasant house of worship, and to anticipate with you 
the rich blessings which may here descend upon you 
and your offspring. May the God of Abraham, and 
your fathers' God, always meet you here, when you 
assemble to call upon his name and to humble your- 
selves before him. May the glory of the latter house 
be greater than that of the former. In that we were 
permitted peacefully to assemble about forty-four years. 
And as you have heard, the gospel preached was the 
power of God unto salvation to a goodly number of 
precious souls. Of this and that man, it may be said, 
" He was born there." In that house some hundreds 
confessed Christ before men. There the church sat 
together as in heavenly places, as they commemorated 
that love which many waters cannot quench, nor 
floods drown. The remembrance of these affecting 
scenes calls for unfeigned gratitude to God. 

But for this house in its modified state, we ask for 
greater things. May the gospel of salvation be 
preached with greater effect, and be a means, through 
God's blessing, of life to all who shall enter these 
gates in search of the wisdom that is from above. 
May you often see in this middle aisle, many conse- 
crating themselves to the service of God, until the 



27 

church and the congregation shall be one body. May 
the Lord pour his Spirit upon you and your children, 
and make you his heritage forever. 

There are two subjects about which I have much 
solicitude. 

The first respects the condition in which I may 
leave you, when my labors shall cease. It is my most 
earnest desire and prayer to God, that this church and 
society may then be in a united and prosperous state. 
The thought that here may be the seat of discord — 
that you may be rent into parties, or involved in diffi- 
culties that will remain to be settled under the ministry 
of a stranger, perhaps a young man — is extremely 
painful. And next to this, I should reckon as ruinous, 
a falling off of the members of the society, — a with- 
drawal of a support of gospel institutions. Far dis- 
tant be that day, when in passing through this pleasant 
town, there shall be occasion for the frequent remark, 
" The man who owns this well cultivated farm, or 
dwells in that stately mansion, renders no support to 
religion." I would deprecate the thought of con- 
tributing to such a state of things in a town like this, 
by too long a continuance in the labors of the minis- 
try. With your present union, here will be an inviting 
situation, to the one whom you may choose to supply 
my place. But if your union shall be gone, your 
glory as a religious community will also have departed. 

Let the church be of a meek and lowly mind, be 
wise as the serpent and harmless as the dove, and 
pray with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, 
watching thereunto with all perseverance, and God will^ 
surely bless you. 



28 

I have spoken of a successor. As a people need 
great wisdom, in so important a concern, I will make 
one remark, which may possibly be of some use. The 
remark is, that far less is made of choosing a pastor 
at this day, than was the case fifty years ago. I had 
preached eleven or twelve sabbaths as a candidate in 
this place, before any movement was made by the 
church in respect to a call to settle. I was here about 
five months before my installation took place. In 
two other instances in which I had received an invita- 
tion to settle, the time of probation was still longer, 
before a call was given. It was generally so at that 
day. The settlement of a minister was a matter of 
so much importance in the people's view, that they 
dared not make haste. Full time ought to be taken 
by a church and society to satisfy themselves as to the 
native powers, the acquirements, the disposition, the 
habits, the faith, and especially the piety of their 
candidate, before they invite him to become their 
pastor. 

The other subject to which I alluded is of still 
greater importance, namely, how shall we stand as 
minister and people in the presence of our Lord 
Jesus Christ at his coming ? 

There we shall meet, including not only you who 
are present, but all who have ever sat under my min- 
istry, whether they be now among the living or the 
dead. Yes, we shall there stand face to face. And 
shall we be a crown of rejoicing to each other ? A 
momentous question ! I do indulge the pleasing hope 
of seeing many to whom I have ministered, then 
standing on the right hand of the Savior, clothed in 



29 

white robes, with palms in their hands, and crowns of 
glory upon their heads. " Ye are our joy, our hope, 
our crown of rejoicing, in the presence of our Lord 
Jesus Christ at his coming." Without this hope I 
should faint. 

But will it be, can it be, that some of the dear peo- 
ple with whom I have so long labored and for whom I 
have so often prayed, will not be there ? Must I see 
any of you in that other assembly, whose doom angels 
cannot contemplate without weeping, and over which 
the Savior wept ? 

Nothing gives me more pain, as I view the time of 
returning my commission to preach the gospel to be 
so near, than the consideration that there are some 
whose kindness and friendship I have enjoyed, who 
have been habitual attendants on the usual means of 
grace, who have appeared to entertain a high respect 
for the institutions of the gospel, but do not account 
themselves worthy of a place among the professed 
disciples of Christ. In view of our final meeting in 
the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming, 
" I beseech you in Christ's stead. Be ye reconciled to 
God." May you lay up for yourselves a good founda- 
tion against the time of need. 

To all, all of my beloved people, I would express 
the earnest desire and hope of meeting you in glory, 
through the riches of divine grace. God forbid that 
I should cease to pray for you, and warn and teach 
you in all wisdom, so long as I live, that I may present 
every man, yes, evenj one of you, perfect in Christ 
Jesus. And in return, let me always have an interest 
in your prayers. 
3* 



30 

«' 

And now, may the good will of him that dwelt in 
the bush ever be with you. 

" The Lord bless you and keep you. 

The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be 
gracious unto you. 

The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and 
give you peace" — eternal peace. 

To all from abroad, who have honored this occasion 
with their presence, our thanks are due. It is particu- 
larly gratifying to see so many of the sons and 
daughters of New Braintree return to the place of 
their early associations, once more to exchange saluta- 
tions with each other, after so long an absence, and 
from distant parts of the country. Not a few do I 
recognize as the lambs of this flock in former years, 
whom it was my delight to feed with the sincere milk 
of the word. It recalls to remembrance the time of 
your espousal to Christ, when a new song was put 
into your mouths, even praise to God. It will be a 
subject of eternal gratitude if in the time of your 
deep anxiety for your souls, God was pleased to make 
me the humble instrument of leading you to the 
Rock that is higher than you. 1 hope to have oppor- 
tunity, in another part of this house, at least to take 
you all by the hand, and to express my joy on meeting 
you again. All who ever sat under my ministry, 
either in childhood, in youth, or in manhood, I do af- 
fectionately bear on my heart, and I pray that God 
may bless you with his richest favors, temporal and 
spiritual. 

My brethren in the ministry, have always received 
a cordial welcome at my house. Your society and 



31 

friendship have been a source of more pleasure to me 
than I can describe. The gratification which I derive 
from your presence on this occasion is unusually 
great. It helps to sustain me, in view of the affecting 
considerations to which our attention has been 
directed. 

Now that 1 am in the decline of life, when not 
only strength but judgment fails, I need your sympa- 
thies ; I need your counsels ; I need your prayers : do 
not forget me. 

And the Lord be with you. May he spare you all 
to your people, many years, prosper you in your good 
work, and give you the reward of faithful servants. 

This is a great meeting. I can hardly account for 
the number in attendance. But what is it, either in 
number or object, compared with that in which we 
shall all be assembled in the presence of our Lord 
Jesus Christ at his coming, and receive a reward, 
each according to the deeds done in the body ? May 
we all be prepared to join the redeemed throng in the 
words, " Unto him that loved us, and washed us from 
our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and 
priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and 
dominion forever and ever. Amen." 



APPENDIX 



(A.) 

At the time I received license to preach, which was May Gth, 1794, at 
Hadley, by the Northern Association, in the county of Hampshire, I was 
ordained at their request, for the purpose of spending a season in Seneca, 
New York. The second time I preached was in what is now the town of 
Geneva, consisting then of five or six log cabins, and one or two framed 
buildings. 

(B.) 

The person deceased was Saul Job ; the prayer was offered by Mr 
Elijah Norton. 

(C.) 

Dea. Jonathan Gould, Capt. Thomas Whipple, and Mr. Jacob Pepper 
took an active part in my settlement, and their great grandchildren are 
now on the stage. Of the latter person named there is one of the fourth 
generation. 

Ministers. Lawyers. 

Jonathan Gould. 
James Tufts. 



Educated Men. 
Jonathan Gould. 
James Tufts. 
Joseph Delano. 
Edwards Whipple. 
Luther Wilson. 
Thomas Pope. 



Edwards Whipple. 
Luther Wilson. 



Thomas Pope. 



34 



Educated Men. 
Frederick Matthews. 
Luke Foster. 
Henry Penniman. 
Charles Eames. 
Frederick Whipple. 
Waldo Converse. 
Eli Harrington. 
Charles Bowman. 
William Miller. 



Ministers. 



Luke Foster. 



{Died in College.) 
Joseph Washburn. 
William Penniman. 



Eli Harrington. 
William Miller. 

James Woods. 
Dr. Davis. 



Lawj-ers. 

Frederick Matthews. 



Charles Eames. 
Frederick Whipple. 
Waldo Converse. 

Charles Bowman. 



{Now in College.) 
David Burt. 
George H. Gould. 



The exercises on the occasion were as follows : — 

1. Singing [Chant] " See what a living Stone," &c. 

2. Short prayer and reading the Scriptures, by Rev. Levi 

Packard, of Spencer. 

3. Singing [122d Psalm, as in the Bible.] " I was glad," &c. 

4. Prayer, by Dr. Bates, of Dudley. 

5. Hymm [" The House of God."] 

6. Sermon, first part. 

7. Singing, 71st Psalm, third part. 

8. Sermon, second part. 

9. Dedicatory prayer, by Dr. Snell, of North Brookfield. 

10. Singing [Chant] 87th Psalm, as in the Bible. 

11. Closing prayer, by Rev. Joseph Vaill,of Somers, Conn. 

12. Singing, " Praise to Jehovah," with the Doxology, in Long Metre. 

13. Benediction, by Rev. Micah Stone, of South Brookfield. 



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